HC treats plea for lifting Ganga Jamuna curbs as PIL

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Tuesday treated a petition filed by a social worker praying for lifting of police restrictions from Ganga Jamuna (GJ) area as a public interest litigation (PIL).
Social worker Mukesh Shahu has challenged the commissioner of police’s August 25 notification prohibiting prostitution activities within 200 meters of public places in the city’s red-light area.
“Considering the issues involved, we are of the opinion that this petition and the stand of the petitioner, as claimed by him, will have to be registered as a PIL,” said a division bench comprising Justice Sunil Shukre and Justice Anil Pansare.
The bench asked the petitioner’s counsels — Chandrashekhar Sakhare and Priti Phadke — to take necessary steps for compliance with the PIL rules. Before adjourning the hearing till November 17, the judges granted them leave to amend the petition, including the prayer clause.
The petitioner contended that arrests and harassment of women from the area amount to criminal trespass. “Residing in their small rooms is their fundamental right and they cannot be prevented from it,” said the petitioner. “Their right to reside in the area cannot be taken away and no raids can be conducted at the places where they reside,” he said.
Shahu pointed out that hundreds of commercial sex workers (CSWs) have been left with no means of livelihood after the CP’s action. He added there was no reason for suddenly closing the area, which has been in existence for hundreds of years.
(With inputs from Sara Khan)